In my March 2020 blog post I wrote about the importance of having a Routine - the inspiring and empowering kind – as an important element of an effective mentoring journey. A recent article in Inc.com made the case for a “practice” vs a “routine”. When your routine is disrupted, it can create a bit of chaos in your day. But if you have a “practice” (author Jeff Haden points out), you can readily adapt to the changes that come your way.
Haden says “Routines are often critical to success. Breaking a goal down into daily activities and then consistently performing those activities, grinding it out day after day--that's how successful people accomplish huge goals.”
“Routines are great …. Until something disrupts that routine (like a broken bike pedal), especially since the more rigidly you follow a routine, the more likely a single broken link will disrupt the entire chain.”
“Routines are what you do.
Practices are also what you do, but are, more important, who you are.
Your bike breaks? If exercise is a practice, you'll spend those 45 minutes doing bodyweight exercises. Or a few HIIT workouts. Or going for a jog. While the bike may have been your preferred option, you can still exercise.
When something happens to mess up your routine, don't dwell on the "what." Think about the "why."
Focus on the goal your routine helps you achieve. And then just achieve that goal, this time, in a different way.”
What is your practice? What is your end goal? How will you focus on your practice and the end goal the next time something (like a broken bike pedal or a missed alarm clock or a sick child) disrupts your routine?